Life & Style | Gadgets & Tech
Blogosphere: June 24
Gulf News web editor Adam Flinter plunges headlong into the blogosphere to find out what bloggers from the Middle East and beyond have on their minds.
- By Adam Flinter, Web Editor
- Published: 23:32 June 23, 2008
- Red, green and blue all over: An Italy supporter reflects after the team was knocked out of the Euro 2008 tournament by Spain.
- Image Credit: AP
Star blog: Italian love
I love Italy and all things Italian and I normally support the "Azzurri" in football tournaments, so naturally I am disappointed by Italy's defeat by Spain in the penalty shoot-out.
Firstly I am disappointed by Italy's performance, for not having been able to score even one goal in over two hours of play.
Secondly, I am disappointed because Italy did not manage to score more than three goals in five games.
Thirdly I am disappointed by Luca Toni who turned out to have been a one-day wonder and came a complete cropper during Euro2008.
With his long Bambi legs awkwardly flailing and tripping over himself, he spent more time on the ground than upright or in the air, where he should be, making himself available for headers.
http://some-like-it-not.blogspot.com/
Euro Frustration
Without much of a local soccer scene to speak of, Jordanians tend to follow and relate to soccer tournaments abroad with a lot more passion (case in hand: Euro Cup, Italian League, World Cup, etc).
During large tournaments such as the Euro Cup taking place now, the entire town seems to turn into a large soccer themed party. The games are watched by every class of society, young and old.
The good teams and the bad teams are the focal point of a lot of the casual conversation in offices, cab rides and waiting lines.
When the games are on, society seems to forget about the horrendous rates of inflation increasing every day, their sh**** jobs, and the gas prices: all that matters is the ball being kicked from European to European.
Soccer matters. It is practically the only activity that a large portion of the population rallies around, fingers crossed.
Yet, it comes with a price, as the games are never screened on local TV. It comes on an Al Jazeera card with a price tag.
For example, in our case, our receiver doesn't come with a card slot, so in order to get access to Al Jazeera, not only do we need to buy the card, but also buy a different satellite dish with a card-slot enabled receiver.
http://andfaraway.net
Rooting for the opposition
Funniest thing happened when I was out smoking, and as usual, stirred up some conversation. Two Iraqis were out there, so I asked about their expectations for the much- awaited football game against Qatar.
Before they answered my question, one of them said, "I don't want Iraq to win. I want Qatar!" I almost choked on my cig.
"What do you mean?" I shouted. "You're kidding right?"
"No, I'm not kidding. I am very serious!" he said matter of factly
"But it's Iraq! It's our country, how can you say that? Its the only thing that unites us." I was getting really agitated.
"Let me tell you why Neurotica. Remember when we won the Asia Cup last July? Remember how everyone went crazy?" I nodded fervently, for of course it was a moment I will never forget.
"Well that day in July, my neighbour went out of his house, into his garden to hear the celebrations and join in. Out of the blue, a stray bullet from the celebratory fire hit him right on the spine.
"My neighbour is now paralysed from the hip down and I honestly don't want to be paralysed, I don't have long for my US visa. So Neurotica, that's why, I don't want Iraq to win, and I pray that Qatar takes it."
http://neurotic-iraqi-wife.blogspot.com
Keeping me happy
Those who think they know me surmise that I'm a crotchety old misery-guts. Possibly with good reason. The blog isn't by the Grumpy Goat for nothing.
But, surprisingly, it's relatively easy to make me happy and to keep me that way. I'll let you into a little secret.
Essentially, all I want is for things to happen as advertised. A digital camera that comes out of the box and takes digital photos is unlikely to disappoint me. Someone who promises to return my loaned DVD on Thursday and then does so is a source of some satisfaction.
To keep me in a state of delight, simply deliver a little more than was promised. Go the extra mile, or even an additional yard.
I rang DEWA yesterday to report a minor water leak on the Authority side of the metre, and by the time I got back to the Crumbling Villa it had been attended to (although there's still a small leak...).
Another example is when I discovered quite by accident that my pocket digital camera would record moving pictures with sound.
http://grumpygoat.blogspot.com/
Pondering Persia
Please excuse my long long absence from blogging. I've just been so busy with family, travel and everything else. I've been having a wonderful summer, I forgot how good it is to be home!
Well my dream came true and I got to go to Iran for a brief visit. I was there for 10 days and visited Shiraz and Tehran. I was really hoping to go to Esfahan, but there wasn't enough time. In short I had an amazing time.
Iran is unorganised and Third World. I love it!
Call me whatever you want, but I believe there is beauty in Bedlam. In Shiraz, traffic lights are just there to decorate the roads. It's hilarious how people drive there.
The people won't mind running you over either. There are no rules. This is the place where the nice guy finishes last. But it's refreshing for some reason!
Things that we take for granted here is a luxury over there. People are always complaining about driving in Dubai. But the conditions here can't hold a candle to the conditions in Iran. There is traffic as far as the eye can see, people have time to step out of their cars to smoke. The police barely do their job. And talk about road rage!
http://mywastelands.blogspot.com/
Metro joy
Dubai Metro, the much hyped urban transport system of Dubai, scheduled to start operations in September 2009, started testing the trains on completed tracks. This looks very interesting.
I still can't say how successful this project will be, but for me, if it allows me to reach the office on time, without getting stuck in traffic jams, at a fraction of cost, and a way to survive the scorching heat while waiting for the train, then I am all for leaving my car at home and using it for my daily commutes.
http://umarsiddiqi.com/blog/
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